Feed mechanism for coal-chutes.



No. 64%],549. Patented Jan. 2, I900. F. H. EMEBY.

FEED MECHANISM FOR COAL CHUTES.

(Applicaticn filed June 8, 1898.}

(N0 MOdSL m: Noam PEYZRS co, FHOTO-LITHCL, WASHINGTON u c FRED KICK ll.EMERY, OF SCRANTON, PENNSYLX' ANIA.

ild C lAhllSlVl FOR COAL CHUTES.

SPECIFICATIUN forming part of Letters Patent Ii 0. 640,549, datedJanuary 2, 1900.

Application filed June 8, 1898. Serial No. 682,868. (No model.)

To (tZZ 7U7I/O7H/ may concern/.-

Be it known that l, FRnDnIoK H. Ennnv, of Scranton, in the county ofLackawanna, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Feed Mechanisms for Coal-Chutes, of which the followingis a complete specification, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings.

The object of myinvention is to produce improved mechanism for supplyingcoal to picking or separating mechanisms, particularly of that class inwhich the coal is separated from the slate and other refuse through theaction of gravity acting upon the particles of different weight. Indevices of this class the coal to be separated is discharged upon aninclined chute, along which, descending by gravity, it acquiresconsiderable momentum, and its course being interrupted by anobstruction in the chute each particle is caused to make a leap over anopen space or break in the chute. The width of this space is adjusted sothat the coal will clear it and pass on down the chute, while the slateor other refuse drops into the space.

It is necessary in apparatus of the kind above described to employ somemeans for supplying the chute *ith material in suitable quantities. Iftoo much coal be allowed to pass into the chute at one time, it willinterfere with its practical operation, tending to retard the momentumof the descending mass or by conflict between the particles to preventthe free action of gravity upon each particle in the separating process.For that reason feeding mechanism has been devised for the purpose ofsupplying the chute. An example of such mechanism consists of a shaftprovided with radiallydisposed plates arranged longitudinally around theshaft and providing upon its periphery a series of buckets. The shaft ismounted in the chute and by constant rotation at a required speed isadapted to discharge at regular intervals a bucketful of coal to thechute and no more. The coal by this means is taken from the upper partof the chute, and being carried over through the rotation of the shaftis deposited upon its lower side. It is found in practice that howeverwell this device may work under favorable conditions it is objectionablewhen the drivin machinery is reversed, as it is often required to be,the driving niechanism being necessarily, for the sake of economy,connected with other and independent mechanism.

it is impracticable in the feed above described to impart a backwardmovement to the shaft without danger of injury to the apparatus.

My invention is designed to supply a feed which is equally well adaptedto supply material in required quantities to the chute and also to movein either direction.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure I is a top plan view of a sectionof a chute with my feed mechanism attached thereto. Fig. II is a sectionon the line H II of Fig. I. Fig. H1 is a section on the line III III ofFig. 1.

Referring to the figures on the drawings, 1 indicates the bottom ,and 2the side Walls,of a section of a chute.

3 indicates a transverse aperture in the floor of the chute, withinwhich fits a mutilated cylinder 4, that by means of trunnions 5 and 6 iscarried within suitable bearings in the side walls 2 of the chute. Thecylinder i is mutilated by being provided upon one side with a trough 5,whose ends are preferably defined by sector-shaped plates 6 and 7, thatwork snugly against the sides of the chute. The cylinder is so unitedand the trough 5 therein is of such shape that one wall of the troughlies flush with the floor 1 when the cylinder turns in one direction andthe other wall of the trough lies flush with the floor when the cylinderis turned in the opposite direction.

The cylinder is free to turn in either direction in consequence of itsexternal shape, which allows it to work even against a superimposedweight of coal without excessive friction or injury to itself.

The cylinder may be operated by a rocking motion or by a rotarymovement. I prefer, however, the rocking motion, and illustrate pins 8for limiting its movement in the opposite direction. Other limitingmechanism, however, may be substituted for the pins 8, it beingpracticable to incorporate such mechanism in the driving mechanismproper.

The driving mechanism in itself forms no part of my invention, but mayinclude any suitable device for imparting requisite motion to thecylinder 4. It may, for example, embody a crank 9, secured to the end ofthe trunnions 6, elongated for its accommodation. Motion may be impartedto the crank through any ordinary mechanism. (Not necessary toillustrate.)

'What I claim is 1. In feed mechanism for separators, the combinationwith an inclined chute provided with a transverse recess, of anoscillatory troughed cylinder located in the recess and means forlimiting the oscillation of the cylinder to cause the Walls of thetrough to aline substantially with the bottom of the chute,substantially as specified.

2. In feed mechanism for separators, the combination with an inclinedchute provided with a transverse recess, of an oscillatory troughedcylinder Within the recess and stop mechanism carried by the cylinder toeffect the substantial alinement of the walls of the trough With thefloor of the chute, substantially as specified.

3. In feed mechanism for separators, the combination with alongitudinally-inclined chute provided with a transverse recess, of anoscillatory cylinder located Within the recess neath the chute anddesigned to compel the.

Walls of the trough to lie substantially flush with the ch ute-floorwhen the cylinder reaches the opposite limits of its oscillation,andmeans for transmitting power to the cylinder, sub stantially asspecified.

In testimony of all of which I have hereunto subscribed my name.

FREDRIOK II. EMERY. Witnesses GEORGE G. BRooKs, THOMAS R. Ilucnns.

